Why Become an SFE Member?
Benefits Overview:
Southern Financial Exchange is a not-for-profit payments association serving financial institutions, businesses and individuals primarily in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
We provide every member the latest information and highest quality payments-related training possible to reduce risk, expenses, and increase income.
It is highly advised that if your organization originates or receives electronic payments via the ACH you need to be informed of the latest developments in the ACH Network. The automated clearing house (ACH) network, the nation's largest electronic payment system, offers a reliable, low-cost alternative to expensive and inefficient paper check processing. Southern Financial Exchange, the regional payments association was created by the financial industry to promote understanding of the services which are offered by participants using the ACH Network.
Value of SFE Membership
Rules Interpretation & Problem Solving
- An annual copy of the ACH Rules, the definitive source for the rules governing the exchange of electronic payments via the ACH Network.
- ACH Quick Reference Guide, the desktop operational reference you can use everyday.
- SFE professional staff is a toll-free call away to answer your questions, resolve problems with ACH transactions and provide ACH rules interpretation assistance.
- Processing Reports of Possible Rules Violation, working to resolve disputes before they are sent to NACHA for review, action and possible fines.
- Assistance with your ACH audit – your audit must be completed by December 1st every year.
Education and Training
Seminars and conferences held throughout our territory to help you maintain compliance with rules and regulations, improve operating efficiency, reduce risk and increase marketing effectiveness. On-site services such as custom training and consultation are available. We are now also offering telephone seminars and ACH training on the Internet for your convenience.
The Rules Making Process
An opportunity to play a pivotal role in the ACH Network when you work together with SFE in the rules making process. Members are encouraged to submit proposals for amendments or participate in a Rules Work Group to shape the rules that govern the ACH Network.
Publications and Operational Resources
Access to over 100 publications, videos, training aides, promotional items and computer-based training programs at significantly reduced rates to SFE members!
Communications
- ACH Bulletins, Updates and Alerts to keep your organization informed of national and regional payment systems Issues.
- Up-to-date information on SFE's Internet web site at http://www.sfe.org
- Access to SFE's members only web site.
- New ABA Lookup Service on our web site allows you to lookup contact information on any ABA Number in the United States that can receive ACH items. This new product eases the challenge of return, Notification of Change processing and customer support. At a later date, this will be available only to members.
- Broadcast Fax - To expedite the delivery of time sensitive and critical information you need, SFE will fax you bulletins and other timely information.
- E-mail Notification Service – Another means to expedite the delivery of time sensitive and critical information you need, SFE will send you bulletins and other timely information via e-mail.
Leadership & Advocacy
Members are represented at the national level in various capacities including councils, committees and Rules Work Groups, and task forces to influence payment system policy and ensure that the interests of SFE members are represented.
Marketing & Public Relations
Assistance in ACH Marketing and Public Relations is available exclusively to SFE members with activities directed toward companies and consumers in your community. SFE also partners with other payments systems participants like NACHA, the Federal Reserve Banks, the U.S. Treasury and other payments associations to promote electronic payments awareness and usage.
